When you’re starting your new business, you may hear a lot of negatives. People will tell you to do more of this and less of that. They will tell you that your ideas and dreams are too big for someone just starting out so you better scale back. You don’t have enough experience, contacts, or education. You will have people point out to you, over and over again, what you lack.
Here’s what I want you to do: take all those negatives and turn them into assets. Simplify – not your dreams but your message. Focus on who you serve and why and with what and talk to those people. You will learn on the job, which is the very best way to learn, and through those learnings you will gain experience. You will make connections because you are excited about your life and your work and nothing, and I mean NOTHING, attracts contacts as much as someone who is enthusiastic and happy.
Those people who are pointing out what you lack are likely dreading Monday and praying for Friday. In the words of my wise mentor and former boss, Bob G., “they’re just trying to get to 5:00.” You are building a life of your own design and that work has no beginning and no end. You are it; and it is you. Take their feedback and turn it into kindling to feed your own fire.
Turn it around. Develop. Reach. Grow. Show them that you’ve got this and there’s no way to stop you. The late great Babe Ruth said it best – it’s tough to beat a person who never gives up.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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Christa Avampato 
great metaphor!
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Loved that image and quote the moment I saw it!
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“You are building a life of your own design and that work has no beginning and no end. You are it; and it is you.”
What wise and wonderful words from your mentor!
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Hi there – those are actually my words. Bob G.’s famous saying about people who are just trying to get to 5:00 has always driven me to do more and be more!
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